THE SARVODAYA SHRAMADANA MOVEMENT is a people's development organisation active at the grassroots level in more than 11,000 villages throughout Sri Lanka. The movement, which began in 1958, works with a vision of balanced development. The aim is not just the alleviation of poverty, but the total awakening of society, including development of the social, cultural, spiritual and political potentials of the people. Sarvodaya fosters the ideals of participatory democracy, promoting basic human rights and environmental sustainability.

Sarvodaya seeks a no-poverty, no-affluence society. Such a society, based on the sharing of resources, will uplift the status of the poorest in the country. Sarvodaya's methods are designed to preserve the traditional Sri Lankan values and culture while simultaneously promoting national peace.

The Triangle Centre seeks to establish an independent Australian & New Zealand support group for the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement of Sri Lanka. If you are interested in participating in this group [Sarvodaya Australia-New Zealand (SANZ)] please contact us at the Triangle Centre by email: <information at trianglecentre dot org dot nz> or by post to: PO Box 25, Paekakariki, New Zealand.

A recently published book, Buddhist Economics in Practice by Dr A.T. Ariyaratne, the founder of the Sarvodaya Shramadana movement is available from the Triangle Centre. The book contains the edited texts of a series of lectures Dr Ariyaratne gave at Schumacher College, Devon, UK in 1998. Cost NZ$15. Profits from the sale of this book will be used to establish the support group, or will be donated to the movement in Sri Lanka. The Triangle Centre has previously imported and sold craft from the Sarvodaya Shramadana movement for more than 20 years and hopes to soon resume this activity as an act of mutual benefit.

Further information on the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement is available from the Sarvodaya web site.